Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
 May 2013 Events Newsletter 

MAY IS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH: Come celebrate with our events!

Service to Seniors Awards Luncheon

Friday, May 17 at noon. Hosted by the Rowan County Council on Aging with sponsorship from Park Sterling Bank. Several individuals, organizations, and businesses will be honored for exemplary service to older adults in our community. The luncheon is open to the public. Tickets are $7.00 at the door, but reservations are required by calling 704-216-7714 by May 13.

I-85 Luncheon 

Wednesday, May 22 at 11:30am. In recognition of Older Americans Month, the center will host its ninth annual luncheon to honor members of the community who are age 85 plus. Sponsored by Carillon Assisted Living, special entertainment will be provided. Free and open to those 85+ making advance reservations. Call 704-216-7714 for more information.

Overnight Bus Trip to Asheville & Hendersonville

Wednesday & Thursday, May 15-16.Motorcoach bus departs the Senior Center at 7:00am on Wednesday, arriving in Asheville for a morning tour of the Thomas Wolfe House before enjoying shopping and lunch in downtown Asheville in the early afternoon. Later in the day we'll head off to the Biltmore Estate for a self-guided tour of the house and gardens.   We'll eat at the Moose Café for dinner, and enjoy an overnight stay at a nice Fairfield Inn just outside of Asheville. After a southern style buffet breakfast at the motel Thursday morning, we will check out and drive over to Hendersonville's Visitor Center. A short walk away will be some wonderful downtown shopping -- Antique Mall, a Mast General store, Mineral and Lapidary Museum, art galleries, clothing stores -- and many choices for an independent lunch. At 1:45pm we'll meet back at the new downtown Flat Rock playhouse for the 2:00pm play "Cotton Patch Gospel" - a blue grass musical which is a modern retelling of the Gospel in the setting of rural Georgia.   Then it's back on the bus with a short stop for dinner on the way, arriving back at the Center about 8:30 p.m.

The cost is $170 for double room occupancy, and $215 for single room occupancy. Price includes motor coach transportation, motel, tours, play, taxes and tips. Meals are all dutch-treat.   Interested older adults need to pre-pay at the Senior Center in order to reserve a seat on the bus.

Reservations are first-come, first-served, and you can pick your seat assignment at the time of purchase. For double occupancy, one must arrange for their own roommate. You must be a member of the Center to purchase a ticket. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, May 1 at 2:00 pm.

25th Anniversary Lecture Series: Music for Positive Aging

Monday, May 13 at 7:00 pm. This is the third in our series of special lectures to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Rufty-Holmes Senior Center. This session promises to be a very unique presentation.   Dean Quick, Board Certified Music Therapist, will present a history & discussion of music therapy, and the benefits that music can have for all of us as we age. Treat yourself to a therapeutic, relaxing presentation followed by light refreshments.   There is no charge for this event. Pre-registration is requested by calling 704-216-7714.

Senior Pen Pal Trip to Bakers Creek Park

Friday, May 10. Van transportation scheduled to leave the Senior Center parking lot with our Senior Pen Pals at 11:00am enroute to Bakers Creek Park where we will meet and spend time with our 6th grade students from Corriher-Lipe Middle School while enjoying a picnic lunch. Seniors will return to the Center by 2:00pm. Let us know if you're going and if you are riding the vans

Preventing Medicare Fraud

Presentations Thursday, May 2 at 10:00am & 12:30pm. All interested adults are invited to attend presentations at the Seniors Morning Out meeting at 10:00am or the AARP Chapter meeting at 12:30pm to learn what individuals can do to assist with preventing Medicare fraud. Among other information, attendees will learn how to read their often confusing Medicare Summary Notices to spot potential fraud. There is no cost involved and pre-registration is not necessary.

Monthly Movie

Wednesday, May 22 at 2:00pm. Sponsored by Mary Moose, Registered Financial Consultant & Planner, for interested older adults. Come out and enjoy "Robot & Frank," the story of a retiree given a walking, talking robot programmed to improve his physical and mental health. Shown on our big screen, complete with popcorn and drinks. Rated PG-13. Free. (Motion picture license # 12137390).

New Classes 

AARP DRIVER SAFETY CLASS:   Wednesday, May 8 beginning at 12:30pm at the Senior Center. Sponsored by AARP for older drivers interested in a four-hour training class in refining existing driving skills and developing defensive driving techniques. Insurance discounts are available for those completing the course. Cost is $12 for AARP members, and $14 for non-members, payable upon arrival for class. Space is limited, so you must pre-register by calling 704-216-7714

GUITAR LESSONS: Two new classes begin Monday, May 6 and will meet every Monday for eight weeks. "Basic Beginner Guitar" will meet from 2:00-3:00pm, and "Beginner /Intermediate Guitar" will meet from 3:30-4:30 pm.   Learn or re-learn to play the guitar with Bob Wingate. Bob has taught guitar lessons at RCCC and High Rock Church. Bring your own guitar. The cost is $30 for either 8 week course, payable to the instructor on the first day of class.   For questions call Bob at 704-636-9395.   Pre-register by Friday, May 3 at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center by calling 704-216-7714.

HANDMADE CARDS CLASS: Wednesday, May 1 at 1:00pm. Complete six handmade cards in one two-hour workshop session. All supplies will be provided. Cost is $13 per person payable upon arrival. Instructor is Daphne Houghton. Advance registration is required by calling the Center at 704-216-7714.  

MIND AEROBICS ART CLASS:   An introduction to mass drawing, pastels and sculpture is explained and demonstrated by professional artist Robert Toth. Explore the novelty that keeps the brain alive through the inspiration that art can give you. Monday afternoons from 2-4pm. $10 per session payable to the instructor.

THREE DIMENTIONAL ART PROJECT: Wednesdays from 2:00-3:30pm May 15, May 22, and May 29.   You will want to be present for all three classes creating a start to finish art project from recycled materials. Create a small, private world of fantasy or memories, all of your own, contained in a box that will fit in your hand. We'll make use of recycled and found objects, paint, pencil, photos and magazine clippings. The base of this project is a "Snak Pak" cereal box. From there we can create amazing worlds. Art instructor Tina Cintron will guide you step by step in letting your imagination fly.  The cost for all three days is $15 including materials payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Register by Monday, May 13 by calling 704-216-7714.

WATERCOLOR PAINTING CLASS - For beginning, intermediate and advanced students. Mondays 9:30am - 12:30pm meeting May 13 - July 8. Instructor will be Leslie Frontz. $36 registration fee to RCCC plus materials. Register in person at the Center between May 1-8.

WATERCOLOR WORKSHOPS: Monday evenings at 7:00pm with Frank Saunders. Receive individual guidance and benefit from group instruction as you work on your own watercolor projects. $12 fee per session payable to the instructor.   Pre-registration is not required.

Computer Classes

Tablet Time Wednesday, May 8 from 1:30-3:30 pm, or Thursday, May 30 from 1:30-3:30 pm. Bring out your inner child and your tablet and come play with us. We will explore our tablets and see what we can do with them. The best part will be the sharing of what we have learned on our own. Take one or both classes. The cost is $10 for each "Tablet Time" class.

Introduction to Computers

May 15-17 (Wednesday- Friday) from 9:00 am-12:00 noon, or May 22-24 (Wednesday-Friday) from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. Still trying to figure out how to use your computer? Do not let it just sit there. Come to class and learn how to use your new piece of technology. This class is designed to introduce you to Windows 7, the Internet, and Microsoft Word. Due to the popularity of this course, "Introduction to Computers" is being offered twice this month. The cost for either course is $28.                                              

Register and pay class fee at the Front Desk. Payment for the class is requested prior to the first day of class.

Blood Pressure Screening

Wednesday, May 1  from 9:30am - 10:30am. Free blood pressure readings and consultation for interested older adults.Provided by retired Geriatric & Adult Nurse Practitioner Gail Kimball.

Assistance with Hearing Needs

For individuals who are hard of hearing and need assistance with hearing devices or telephone communication. Sponsored by the NC Division of Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. Call to get a time for an appointment at Rufty-Holmes by calling 1-800-835-5302.

Women's Health & Fitness Club

Wednesday, May 1 at 1:00 pm. This month the topic is "Habits of Healthy Women . . Preventive Health Screenings."   Each meeting features a guest speaker or fun activity related to women's health or fitness. Monthly programs are led by Rufty-Holmes Senior Center Fitness Staff or Rowan Regional Medical Center Staff.   Free and open to all ladies age 55 or better.

Men's Health & Fitness Club

Wednesday, May 8 at 1:00 pm.   This month's program will be "Coordination & Agility." Those present will participate in light exercise focusing on coordination, and take a simple agility test. Attendees should wear exercise shoes and comfortable clothes. We also hope to elect new Club Officers at this meeting. The Club is free and open to all men ages 55 and older. Sponsored by Rufty-Holmes Senior Center and Rowan Regional Medical Center.